Solita Roberts is the founder of Style To Impact, a personal styling and image consulting agency that helps high- performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals refine their personal style and build a wardrobe that reflects their brand, make them feel confident so that they can attract their ideal clients, get better paying role and speak up for what matters.
Solita believes that if more women show up in a confident and purpose-driven way, dreaming bigger, raising our voices for what matters, and becoming leaders in the companies we work and our communities, we will change the status quo. It is not just for ourselves but also for our daughter; if they can see themselves in us, they can dream without limits.
It’s a fact that we need more women to step up, to take on leadership roles, to change the way the world sees us, and in some cases, how we see ourselves. We need the tools, confidence, and wardrobe to do.
Solita started Style To Impact solely for that purpose to give women the confidence they need to speak on stage, on video, to serve on board, start businesses or run for higher office.
What is Style To Impact all about?
Style To Impact helps women entrepreneurs and professionals refine their professional image for greater impact in their career and business through one-on-one client work, workshops, and training. Essentially Style To Impact helps you build a wardrobe that’s reflective of your brand, makes you feel confident so that you can attract more of your ideal clients and career opportunities.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company.
After my dream of going to law school didn’t look like a possibility, all I had was a high school diploma and a two-year college diploma, no fancy education. Even though I did see my education as a limitation, I was determined to have the best life possible, pursue every opportunity that came my way, and excel in my career. It was how I was going to build my credibility, influence and purpose.
Fast forward to landing my first professional job as a bank teller, I remember buying 2 suits, both pinstripe- one was black with white stripes and the other was white with black stripes. I wore them both to death, until one day, my supervisor, God blessed her soul, shared with me tips on how I can look more polished; she also gifted me a pair of pants and two shirts.
And that was the day I realized my image mattered, that what I wore was telling a story about me.
Over time, I started to dress with every career opportunity in mind, what I wanted for my life and how having a strong wardrobe would help me get there.
Four years ago, out of a shared need to find my creative side, I started with a side hobby called Styled by Solita, helping women here and there dress how they want to feel, creating outfits, and sharing style tips. But I wanted to be known for more than just picking out great outfits, I wanted to change the way women pursue their goals.
That sense of purpose is what fuels me today to ; help women overcome their limiting beliefs and build their confidence and life using style.
Fast forward to today, I could not be more proud of my journey; throughout all the obstacles, I’ve created a brand with a soul and a purpose. I style women for greater IMPACT.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
I was stuck in information paralysis and creation mode; I downloaded every article, workbook, and cheat sheet that came across my computer screen. I thought that once I have a slew of information, starting a successful business will be easy. I mean- I have all the resources, right? Wrong- Instead of taking action with all the resources, I would place them in a binder and create ten versions of the same workbook. Sometimes I never told my audience about it.
Once I got out of this paralysis mode, there was a new monster to deal with, relationship building; even though I knew it wasn’t possible to build a successful business without support, I didn’t invest much time creating and fostering relationships. Today, social and networking engagements are one of my top brand activities.
The third mistake I made was believing that everyone around me should support this journey I’m on. I felt that my family and those important to me were going to be my biggest cheerleaders. I was looking for validation from them to accept me with open arms and promote my business to their friends and colleagues and say, “I believe in you.” It wasn’t until I stepped out of my feelings and accepted that the only person I needed validation from was myself. I need to prove only to myself that being an entrepreneur, starting a business was what I wanted to do.
For each mistake I’ve made along the way, they have helped me get to this point today where I’m confident in my passion and finally have a brand that represents soul and purpose. A brand creating and uplifting Women of Impact.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
It’s important that you determine which platform your ideal clients use the most. Since Style To Impact works with professional women and entrepreneurs, most of my marketing strategy goes into targeting potential clients on LinkedIn and Instagram. It’s important that you master two or three platforms before you can move to the new shining platform on social media. Once you have a great handle, then, look for other social media platforms to promote your business. Currently, my focus is to create brand ambassadors, either past clients or followers, who can speak of their experience working with Style To Impact in rooms I’m not in.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing; my first job was as a babysitter in the kids club at a hotel- that job taught me patience. When I started my role as a bank teller, I learned the importance of financial freedom. My role as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of an offshore company exposed me to a new language, culture, and way of life. Today my role as an Image Coach and Personal Stylist is a cumulation of everything I learned along the way.
The book that helped me the most is Book Your Self Solid by Michael Port: this is great for new entrepreneurs, it has everything you need from how to talk about what you do to crafting your speaking strategy.
The Speaking Your Brand Podcast is my absolute favorite- if you want to learn to speak with confidence and become a thought leader, this is the podcast to listen to.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
I would use it to hire a business coach, not that $1000 can get you a business coach but someone who can help me weed through the ideas I have and challenge me to take action.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
No one starts at the finish line. Because we live in such a digital age, where everyone posts their success as a new entrepreneur, you may struggle with a bit of envy—wondering why success seems to look so easy for others while you are still stuck in the running block. To get the result you may be comparing yourself to, didn’t happen overnight, that person started exactly where you are, they ran (stay consistent) jumped over the same hurdles, or worst just like you. Don’t expect the results to come overnight.
What is your favorite quote?
“No one starts at the finish line.”
Every time I’m judging myself or over-analyzing what I should have done better or fallen into comparison analysis, I repeat this quote.
How can we get in touch with you?
I hang out a lot on LinkedIn and Instagram, encouraging women to dress, show up, and amplify their voices to change the status quo. On Instagram, my handle is @styletoimpact, and on LinkedIn, you can search for me under Solita C. Roberts. If you plan on using my web link. You can also read all about how I work with my clients at styletoimpact.com.
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